Protected sponge.



Patented Nov. 25. |902.

4J. WILLIAMS. PROTECTED SPNGE.

(Application mea July 26. 1902.;

(Specimens.)

@in/asses" 'Aerei-Wr Fries.

JOHN WILLIAMS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

PROTECTED SPONGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 714,626, dated November 25, 1902. Application filed July 26, 1902. Seria] No. 117,108. (Specimens.)

To a/ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN WILLAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Protected Sponges, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide means whereby Sponges may be prevented from Wearing out, to lengthen the life of the sponge, and to lessen the expense by using a cheap quality of sponge so protected that it will last as long as or longer than an expeni sive sponge whichis unprotected; and, again, the object of the invention is to provide a sponge surrounded by a covering, the sponge and the covering combined having all the qualities of the ordinary sponge as far as absorbing a large amount of Water and readily parting with the saine is concerned,and in addition thereto shall have the quality of a soft surfacepleasant to the touch for bathing purposes, and also one which may be used upon the finest polished surface of furniture or carriages without injury thereto.

The invention consists of a sponge and a crocheted covering of porous material, provided With perforations, which entirely surrounds said sponge and protects the same from Wear.

The invention again consists, specifically, of a sponge and a crocheted covering of wool entirely surrounding said sponge, said covering being provided upon the interior thereof with reinforcing strips surrounding said sponge and protecting the same from wear.

The invention finally consists in the combination and arrangement of parts set forth in the following specification, and particu-- larly pointed out in the claims thereof.

I-Ieretofore sponges have been a source of heavy expense to stable-keepers and others using Sponges for washing vehicles of different descriptions. The first cost of a sponge is very large, and only the best quality can be used to any advantage on account of the great Wear to which they are subjected, and from the nature of the article said Sponges soon become torn and worthless. In order to overcome these difficulties and to lengthen the nlife of the sponge and also in order that the cheapest qualit-y of sponge may be used in place of the expensive quality of sponge, I provide a covering, preferably of crocheted material, having perforations and with reinforcing portions extending around the interior thereof. This covering may be made of any soft porous material; but in practical use I have found a crocheted covering of wool to give the best results. This covering of Wool presents a soft and durable surface for all purposes for which a sponge may be used. The sponge itself performs the function of absorbing the water, while the covering protects the sponge and takes the wear. By practical experiment and use in stables I have found the results to be very satisfactory, both in the quality of work performed by a sponge pro- A vided with my improved covering and also in the length of time which the same may be used witlioutwearingout. Aspongeofthecheapest quality provided with my improved covering will outwear four Sponges of the best quality used without any covering. In addition to prolonging the life of the sponge it will be seen and understood that my improved covering may be formed of a soft wool, which makes it very pleasant and soft to the touch for bathing purposes and also renders it practical to be used upon a highly-polished or varnished surface without scratching the same.

Referring to the drawing, in the figure of said drawing is shown a side elevation of my improved protected sponge, a part of the same being broken away and shown in section.

In the drawing, 5 is an ordinary sponge, which may be of the cheapest quality. 6 is a covering surrounding said sponge and preferably crocheted of Woolen material in two parts 7 and 8. Said parts are preferably crof cheted separately, are then placed around the sponge, and joined together by crocheting, as shown. The covering 6 is provided with perforations 9 9 10 lO, said perforations 9 9 being of smaller area upon diametrically opposite sides of said covering than the perforations 10 10, located therebetween.

In order to strengthen the covering and render the same more durable and also in order to prevent any direct wear upon the sponge, reinforcing-strips 1l 1l are provided upon the interior of the covering, extending, pref- IOO erably, in bands around said interior. It will be seen that these reinforcing-strips not only strengthen the covering, but also When pressure is brought to bear upon the outer surface the strips bend laterally and cover the perforations 9 9, so that the sponge does not come into Contact with the surface which is being Washed. It will therefore be seen that While the sponge retains all of its desirable characteristics-Viz., the absorbing of a large amount of Water and the ready delivery of the same under pressure-the covering hereinbefore described prevents the sponge from becoming torn or Worn out and also presents, in addition to a Wear-resisting surface, a soft surface for either bathing purposes or for Washing highly-polished surfaces without injury thereto.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire by Letters Patent to secure, is-

l. As an article of manufacture, a sponge and a crocheted covering of porous material,

provided with perforations, surrounding said sponge and protecting the same from wear.

2. As an article of manufacture, a sponge and a crocheted coveringof Wool surrounding the same, said covering provided upon the interior thereof with reinforcing-strips surrounding said sponge and protecting the same from Wear.

3. As an article of manufacture, a sponge and a crocheted covering of wool, formed in two parts and joined together,surroundin g the same, said covering provided upon the interior thereof with reinforcing-strips surrounding said sponge and protecting the same from Wear.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN WILLIAMS. Witnesses:

CHARLES S. GooDING, ANNIE J. DAILEY. 

